Psalms 119:75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Original Language Analysis
יָדַ֣עְתִּי
I know
H3045
יָדַ֣עְתִּי
I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יְ֭הוָה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
צֶ֣דֶק
are right
H6664
צֶ֣דֶק
are right
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
4 of 7
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
מִשְׁפָּטֶ֑יךָ
that thy judgments
H4941
מִשְׁפָּטֶ֑יךָ
that thy judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Psalms 119:62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.Psalms 119:7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.Psalms 25:10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.Psalms 119:128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.Psalms 119:160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.Job 34:23For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.Genesis 18:25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Historical Context
Exile theology grappled with theodicy: how can a righteous God afflict His people? The answer: suffering serves covenant purposes—purification, testing, and deepening dependence. This theology prepared Israel for the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 and ultimately for Christ's redemptive suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- Can you identify times when God's faithfulness to you included painful discipline rather than immediate relief?
- How does affirming God's righteousness in affliction differ from stoic resignation or fatalism?
- What aspects of God's character have you learned through suffering that you could not have grasped in prosperity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right (יָדַעְתִּי יְהוָה כִּי־צֶדֶק מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ)—yada'ti (I know) signals certain knowledge, not speculation. God's mishpatim (judgments/ordinances) possess tzedek (righteousness), even when they bring suffering. And that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me (וֶאֱמוּנָה עִנִּיתָנִי) reveals stunning theology: affliction (innitani) flows from divine emunah (faithfulness), not cruelty.
This echoes Hebrews 12:6-11—the Lord disciplines those He loves. The psalmist has reached Job's conclusion (Job 23:10): God's refining fire proves covenant love. Paul likewise embraced the paradox that weakness manifests God's strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Divine faithfulness sometimes hurts, but it never harms.